Gallagher, James
Personal Information
Rank | P/O |
Forename(s) | James |
Surname | Gallagher |
Gender | M |
Age | 29 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 24-02-1945 |
Next of Kin | Son of James Gallagher and Marion Gallagher (née McPhee), of Swift Current, Saskatchewan |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax III |
Serial Number | NP936 |
Markings | 6U-P |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Germany |
Burial/Memorial Place | Reichswald Forest War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | 18. G. 1. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 167 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/95305 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 6 |
Squadron | 415 (Swordfish) |
Trade | Navigator |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Gallagher Lake, Saskatchewan |
Country | Canada |
Memorial Type | Lake |
Memorial Text |
Location | Village Centre, Sutton on the Forest, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone & Metal Sun Dial |
Memorial Text | A memorial to all those who served at RAF East Moor and in particular 415 Sqn RCAF |
Miscellaneous Information
James was born on 18 May 1915 at Gartsherrie, Coatbridge , Scotland. They were both born in Scotland with James Sr. working as a pumpman and Marion was deceased by the time of James Jr's enlistment. James had seven siblings. Three married sisters and four brothers, John, Angus, Daniel and Norman, who was at Camp Borden. They lived at 103 Yager Block, Swift Current, Saskatchewan. The schools he attended were St.Patrick’s . 1921-1930 (grade 8), Swift Current 1930-1934 (grade 12) and to Business College 1936-1937 where he studied a business course. His sporting interests were baseball, swimming and soccer his hobbies were drawing and amateur radio. James worked for a farmer, William Thwaites between 1934-1936, then for C.P.R Swift Current, as a Call Boy 1937-1938 and he was then transferred to working as a Checker (C.P.R.) 1938-1942 until he enlisted on 9 February 1942. |
After training he embarked from Halifax on 24 November 1943 and arrived at 3 RCAF PRC on 2 December 1943. From here he went to 3(0) AFU 14 March 1944, 24 OTU 2 May 1944, 61 (RCAF)Base 4 October 1944, and 415 Squadron 28 December 1944. He was killed two months later. |
Brother Norman Joseph Gallagher became a Bishop. He was a Squadron Leader and Command Chaplain of Air Transport Command and served as Wing Commander with the Canadian Armed Forces. He enlisted in RCAF as a Chaplain and his first posting was to Bournemouth where the new recruits arrived from Canada. He also went over to Normandy on 6 June 1944. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1813/18 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1813/17 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 24-02-1945 |
End Date | 24-02-1945 |
Takeoff Station | East Moor |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Kamen- to attack a synthetic oil plant in the Bergkamen district. The target was cloud covered so a combination of G-H and Oboe was used (the latter being possible due to the proximity of the target to England. The local report states significant damage to the town centre, with most churches and the hospital being destroyed. No mention is made in the report of the level of damage to the oil refinery. |
Reason for Loss |